Objections set to be overruled for estate on 'brown field land'

Building firm William Gosney Ltd, which is based on Wombwell Lane, has applied to build the development on land which is currently occupied by a large empty building adjacent to its own premises.

At the moment the site, which covers half a hectare, is overgrown and being used mainly as a storage area for the industrial premises next door.

Preliminary plans show that 15 to 17 houses could be built on the site, which would be accessed by a new road from Wombwell Lane.

However, a petition bearing 41 signatures has been submitted to Barnsley Council in opposition to the proposals, saying that Wombwell Lane is currently working to capacity and couldn't accommodate further development.

The petition also says that additional houses would

"jeopardise highway safety" and create an increase in traffic noise.

Despite this, Barnsley Council's planning officers have recommended that the application is approved when it is considered by councillors at today's planning committee meeting.

They say that, as the site is on brown field land, it would contribute towards the council's development objectives of building 65 per cent of new houses on previously developed land.

The site is also said to be "of a reasonable size" to support a residential development of more than 10 homes and the proposed location of the access road would reduce the disturbance from extra vehicles to existing residents of Wombwell Lane.

An extract from the report set to go before today's meeting says: "The neighbouring site has a long time association with William Gosney Ltd who specialise in building, civil engineering and plant hire.

"The site is occupied by the company's offices and warehouse, with the principle on site use being storage. There are no heavy industrial processes conducted on the site which would be unduly harmful to future residential occupants.

"Screening is currently provided along the site's northern boundary in the form of established hedges and trees. This could be appropriately bolstered to ensure that residential amenity is protected."

The planners add that, despite residents' objections, the plans comply with highway safety regulations.

The report says: "There are no reasons to suggest why a small

development would burden Wombwell Lane, given that it is equipped to cater for large volumes of traffic.

"The site can accommodate an appropriate level of resident parking, which can be safely accessed without infringing upon highway safety or residential amenity.

"The site is also located within a sustainable location being only a short distance from local services and public transport."

Recommending that outline plans for the development should be given the go-ahead, the planners add: "There are no apparent constraints which suggest that the site cannot be developed for residential purposes.

"Residential development represents an efficient use of a brown field site and one which is compatible with the locality.

"The application has successfully demonstrated that an adequate access can be achieved without compromising highway safety and there are no reasons why a detailed scheme cannot be designed in accordance with the requirements of local and national planning polices."

Today's planning committee meeting will begin at 2pm at Barnsley Town Hall.